Siberian Chipmunks

Meet the newest offering from The Animal Store: the Siberian Chipmunk. Isn't it cute? Though the Siberian Chipmunk (Tamias sibiricus) looks a lot like the common chipmunk (Tamias) found throughout North America, the Siberian Chipmunk is slightly smaller and more delicate.

The Siberian Chipmunk has also been bred in captivity for many years to be kept as pets. Unlike many other rodents, which tend to be nocturnal, Siberian Chipmunks are diurnal, or active during the day. This makes them lively and fun pets that won't keep you awake at night. In the wild, these animals forage and climb, so their cage will need burrowing material, and enough room and branches for climbing, as well as chew toys and an exercise wheel.

To learn more, come in and meet our newest pets. We'll be happy to answer any questions. The Animal Store staff spends a lot of time handling our young animals, which helps socialize them and make them friendlier pets.

It's important to note that in the City of Chicago and most of its suburbs, it is illegal to catch wild, undomesticated animals to keep as pets. Wild chipmunks do not make good pets and can carry a variety of dangerous diseases, including rabies. Don't be tempted to catch a chipmunk of your own. Our Siberian Chipmunks come from reputable breeders and have been bred as pets.

Photo credit: Siberian Chipmunk by William Warby via a Creative Commons License.

Pygmy Hedgehogs

Pygmy hedgehogs may seem a little prickly on the outside, but some people who are allergic to cats or dogs find that they are not allergic to hedgehogs.

Most people are surprised to learn that hedgehogs are not related to porcupines at all; they are more closely related to shrews and moles. Despite their spiny top coats, hedgehogs have a soft underside and make pleasant pets, particularly for small environments, like apartments. 

Most hedgehogs can be litter trained and they have little, if any, odor. As a well-cared-for pet,  you can expect a hedgehog to live between four and seven years. For more information on owning a hedgehog as a pet, visit our Website or email us. 

If you have a pet hedgehog and would like to share your photos, please feel free to upload them to our Facebook page. Be sure to let us know your pet's name and whether you got him or her at The Animal Store.

Mention this post on hedgehogs and receive 25% off your entire purchase* of a hedgehog and/or hedgehog supplies, food, treats or equipment. 

*Offer good on white tags only and valid through August 21, 2009. 

World Rat Day

Rats often get a bad rap, but what's not to love about a face like Whisper's in this photo. Today, April 4, is World Rat Day, a holiday that was "designed to recognize the fancy rat as a wonderful companion animal for people of all ages.

Rat fanciers know that fancy rats are intelligent, clean and curious animals that bond with their humans and become devoted pets. Male rats are known as bucks and females are called does; baby rats are known alternately as either pups or kittens. 

Small enough to be considered a pocket pet, a pet rat can provide the same kind of intimate companionship as a cat or a dog. Rats are social creatures that need regular human interaction and often fare better with a companion rat. Same sex pairs do well together, unless you are prepared for the responsibilities of breeding. On average, rats live 2-3 years. 

If you are interested in learning more about rats as pets, please visit the rat page on The Animal Store Website, or email us. Click here to leave a comment or tell us how you plan to celebrate World Rat Day. Our gift to you is 25% off rat supplies and treats. Just mention the World Rat Day blog post.

*Offer good on white tags only and valid through April 19, 2009.

  

Image: Ivy with Whisper the Rat by Richard Masoner.

International Pooper-Scooper Week

I'm sure you are as excited as we are here at The Animal Store to learn that tomorrow is the first day of International Pooper-Scooper Week (April 1-7). No, this is not an April fool's joke. According to The American Pet Association, Americans own more than 71 million dogs as pets and those animals produce more than 4.4 billion (that's "billion" with a "B") pounds of waste per year.

More than just a messy nuisance, uncollected pet waste can lead to public health issues, primarily through parasites and pathogens found in the dogs' stools (including roundworms, tapeworms, Salmonella, and Giardia, among others). 

The Animal Store wants to help you be a responsible pet owner and good citizen. In honor of International Pooper-Scooper Week, we are offering a 15% discount on all products related to pet waste. No coupon necessary — just mention this blog post. If you have questions or comments, email us or leave a comment here.

*Offer good on white tags only and valid through April 14, 2009.

Photo credit: poop and scoop sign by Jeremy Burgin via flickr.com.

The "Who Knew?" Zoo

Where in Chicago-land can you see a thousand-gallon aquarium, red-eyed tree frogs, blue tegus, jungle carpet pythons, emperor scorpions, pink toed tarantulas, fire belly newts, frisky ferrets, scarlet macaws, pygmy hedgehogs, tiny sugar gliders, exotic iguanas and huge sulcata tortoises? 

The Lincoln Park Zoo? Sure. The Brookfield Zoo? You bet. The local strip mall? That's right, if you come to The Animal Store.

Our shop, tucked into the corner of a shopping center in Lincolnwood, has been home to these and hundreds of other exotic animals for more than 15 years. Walking around the store, you will encounter new creatures on every shelf and around every corner. On any given morning, you may run into a mom and toddler petting the bunnies; a couple of kids feeding grapes to Ernie the Giant Gourami; or a second grade teacher introducing her class to the secrets of the rain forest.

I believe education is one of our most important roles. We frequently host small groups such as scout troops, preschool classes and summer camps. Our staff is knowledgeable about the native habitats and life cycles of all our animals, as well as how to care for them. For many of our visitors, this is the closest they have ever come to animals more exotic than domestic cats and dogs. When you visit us at The Animal Store, it's a chance to see the bigger world that we all share.

I hope you visit soon. I'm Kenn, the owner, and I look forward to meeting you. Mention this blog post and get 20% off* any one item. If you can't visit us in person, visit us on the Web at theanimalstore.com.

*offer expires 10/15/08

Stumble It!

Mice Make Great First Pets

Pip Originally uploaded by -kirra-

What kind of animal needs to be oiled?

A mouse, because it squeaks!

OK, that's a bad joke, but it's no joke that Animal Store mice make great first pets. Pet mice are a far cry from the field mice that can become household pests. Pet mice can be full of personality; they are gentle and easy to maintain, and can become quite tame if handled regularly. Their habitats don't take up much room, making them ideal pets for families living in small spaces. 

Another advantage of owning mice as pets is that they don't require much equipment:

• a wire cage or an aquarium with a tight-fitting screen cover
• bedding
• a small nesting box
• a gravity-fed water bottle
• a small food bowl
• an exercise wheel
• food
• a few toys and treats

The Animal Store has everything you need to get started. Mention this blog post and get a free mouse with the purchase of a mouse setup. 

Ari, a young Animal Store customer told us that the best part of having mice as pets is that "they're cute, and fun to hold and fun to play with." Visit The Animal Store soon and play with some of our mice. We're sure you'll agree with Ari.

Click here to tell us about your pet mouse or tell us your favorite mouse joke.

Stumble It!